DISPUTABLE MATTERS
The life and practices of disciples vary widely and it is quite common to come across several matters over which Christians hold a variety of views. These include eating, drinking, observing special days, following tradition, spending money on things and so on. Some disciples are inclined to have more freedom in their lives because their faith allows them to do so, whereas others like to live their lives by rules that are prevalent in society or has been handed down to them. None of these matters are outlined clearly in the Bible and so would fall into the category of disputable matters. The most common among these that divides the church is the issue of drinking wine or alcohol. Whereas many propose that a Christian should never touch alcohol, there are others who point out that the Bible does not prescribe teetotalism, and that alcohol can be enjoyed in moderation and prohibits Christians from getting drunk. Paul refers to this in Romans 14,
2 One person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables………5 One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind
Paul gives us some guidelines to follow in these matters.
Don’t judge: Neither the person who indulges nor the person who abstains should judge the other. Judging is a sign of pride and indicates the tendency to place oneself above others which God abhors. Yet, judgment is the most common response we find when it comes to disputable matters.
3 The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them.
Do unto the Lord: If you can thank God for whatever you do or don’t do, it is good. All of our lives should be an offering unto the Lord. We need to be convinced in our hearts and not condemn ourselves in following the practices we do.
6 Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God……….22 So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves.
There is also an element of keeping these things between yourself and God and not being too uptight about what you expect others to do just because you do it.
Grow in your faith: Paul was clear in his mind about the freedom he had in Christ. While aiming to increase in our faith and thereby being able to live out the freedom Christ has given us, we also need to increase in love and be conscious of other believers and their beliefs, not placing a stumbling block in their paths.
14 I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean…………….. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a person to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. 21 It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall.
Christian life is one of freedom- to partake and to deny as per the will of God.
